Definition

1. Verb:
   • To be swollen (of eyes): "híp" describes the state of eyes appearing swollen or puffy, often making them look smaller or partially closed.
   • To close (eyes) narrowly/slightly: "híp" refers to the action of closing one's eyes partially or narrowly, not fully shut. It often conveys an expression like squinting, smiling, or being sleepy.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Sau khi khóc, mắt cô ấy híp lại. (After crying, her eyes became swollen/puffy.)
  • Anh ấy híp mắt lại dưới ánh nắng chói chang. (He narrowed/squinted his eyes under the bright sunlight.)
  • Cậu bé cười híp cả mắt. (The little boy laughed until his eyes became narrow slits.)

Advanced Usage

• "híp mắt": This is the most common collocation, meaning "to narrow one's eyes" or "for eyes to be swollen."
  • Bà ấy híp mắt nhìn vào bức tranh. (She squinted to look at the painting.)
• Used to describe a characteristic facial feature or expression, often related to happiness, concentration, or physical state.
  • Ông cụ có đôi mắt híp và nụ cười hiền hậu. (The old man has narrow eyes and a kind smile.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nheo mắt: A near-synonym meaning to squint or screw up one's eyes, often due to bright light or effort to see. It emphasizes the action more than the state.
• Sưng híp: A compound phrase where "sưng" (swollen) intensifies "híp," specifically describing eyes that are puffy and nearly closed from swelling.

Synonyms

• Nheo (to squint): Focuses on the action of contracting the eye muscles to see better or react to light.
• Khép hờ (to close lightly/partially): Describes closing something, like eyes or a door, but not completely.

Related Idioms/Phrases

• Cười híp mắt: To smile so that one's eyes become narrow slits; to beam with joy.
  • Nghe tin vui, bà cười híp mắt. (Hearing the good news, she smiled so that her eyes crinkled.)
• Mắt híp lại vì buồn ngủ: Eyes closing/narrowing due to sleepiness.
  • Đứa trẻ mắt đã híp lại vì buồn ngủ. (The child's eyes were already drooping with sleepiness.)

verb

1. to be swollen; to close
   • híp mắt
     to close the eyes